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r>JRICE, 15 CEiarTS. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



OF 



THE B.mLII OF KIl'S MOUN™, 



FOUGHT BETWEEN THE 



American and British Troops, 



AT 



KING'S MOUNTAIN, YORK Co., S. C, 



CX'TOBlH^Ft 7\ 17«0. 



By Rev. Robert Lathan, of Vokkville, S. C 



YORKVILLE, S. C. 

PIMXTEI) AT THE OFFICE OF 'ITI E EN(,>ril{EK. 

1 8<So. 



One dozen oopies, $1.50. Fifty copies, $'>. Otie hundred copies, ^9. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



OF 



m B,WTLii OF mn mountam, 



FOUGHT BETWEEN THE 



American and British Troops, 



AT 



KING'S MOUNTAIN, YORK Co., S. C, 



OCTOBUJR 7, 17><0. 



By Rev. Robert Lathan, of Yorkville, S. C. 






>"/> 



YORKVILLE, S. C. 

PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE EN(^)T'IHEI{. 

I 880. 



Entered acrcording to Act of Congress, in the year 1880, 

By ROBERT LATHAN AND L. M. GRIST, 

In the offiee of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 






BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 



"O heaven," they said, "our bleeding country save 
Is there no hand on liigh to shield the brave ? 
What though destruction sweep these lovely plains ! 
Rise fellow men 1 Our country yet remains : 
By that dread name we wave the sword on higli. 
And swear for her to live ; for her to die." 

Campbell's Pleasure of Hope. 

The year seventeen Innidred and eighty was the darkest 
period in the Eevolutionary struggle. From the mountains to 
the seaboard, a gloom rested upon tlie whole country. For five 
years the colonies, against fearful odds, had been battling for 
freedom. The country was overrun, its treasury was empty, and 
its soldiers were hungry and naked. Fi-om the hills of Massachu- 
setts to the savannas of Georgia, a darkness that could be both 
seen and felt, enveloped the land. This was especially the case in 
South Carolina and Georgia. From the repulse of Sir Peter 
Parker, on the 28th of June, 1776, until the autunni of 1779, South 
Carolina, although in open and determined rebellion against the 
mother country, enjoyed comparative peace. Supplies of arms 
and munitions of war, together with food nnd clothing for the 
army, were landed by different nations of Europe at Charleston. 
From this point, these army stores, together with rice and other 
products of the fields of South Carolina, were transported, by 
wagon trains, as far north as New Jersey. During this period, 
South Carolina grew and flourished, notwithstanding the exist- 
ence of war. 

In the autumn of 1778, the scene began to cliange. Col. Camp- 
bell was sent from New York, by Sir Henry Clinton, to reduce 
Savannah, the capital of Georgia. On the 29th of December, 
Gen. Howe was forced to capitulate. Georgia fell into the hands 
of the enemy, and South Carolina now became a border State, ex- 
posed to the active military operations of the enemy. A bloody 
struggle was made, near a year afterward, for tlie recovery of 
Savannah, but it proved unsuccessful. It soon became evident 
that the British were determined to capture Charleston. Pre- 
vost, in May, 1779, had attempted to take the city by siege, but 
his plans were frustrated by the adroitness of Gov. Rutledge and 
the military prowess of General Moultrie. 
On the 26th of December, 1779, Sir Henry Clinton, witlj the 
2 



larger part of Ins army, sailed from Kew York for the South. 
In January of the following year, he landed on the coast of Geor- 
gia, lie had hut one object in view, and that was to crush the 
rebellion in all the Southern colonies. His i)uri)ose was to begin 
at the southern extremity and go northward, leaving the country 
in his rear in complete and absolute, if not willing, submission to 
the British government. The first thing to be done to effect his 
purpose, was the reduction of Charleston. On the 10th of Feb- 
ruary, he set out from Savannah to accomplish the cherished pur- 
pose of his heart. He was successful. Whether all was done 
that could have been done to save the city, or not, we shall not 
here inquire. Perhaps it would have been wise, under the exist- 
ing circumstances, not to have attempted its defense. The at- 
tempt, however, was made. Sir Henry Clinton commenced and 
carried on the siege with as much respect to the rules of military 
science, as if he had been conducting the siege of an old walled 
town. Keduced almost to starvation, and poorly provided for 
every way to stand a siege, the defenders of the city, after a close 
siege of nearly eight weeks, capitulated on the 12th of May, 1780. 
The terms of the surrender were hard, and tlie conduct of the 
British commander afterward, was calcidated to cast a gloom 
over the patriots. The civil government of Britain was establish- 
ed in the city, and plans were laid for establishing it over the 
whole State. Everything was done that could be done, to encour- 
age the tories and loyalists and dishearten the patriots.. 

Early in June, Clinton and the fleet sailed for New York, 
leaving Lord Cornwallis to complete the establishing of civil 
government in the State. He commenced his march northward. 
Parties were sent out in all directions to disperse the patriots 
and gather \ip the tories and loyalists with which to swell his 
ranks. This was not enough. He determined to force those 
who, from tlie results of the war, were resting quietly at home, 
to take up arms against their friends and against the cause which 
they loved. Lord Cornwallis soon found that tlie country still 
remained, and tliere were many who had sworn for it to live and 
for it to die. In South Carolina, there was not then a regularly 
organized American army. There were small parties of men, in 
almost every section of the State, who disputed every inch of 
ground with Cornwallis. Still he pushed on. Tories and loyalists 
(lo(;ked to liis standard, and many who, heretofore, had been re- 
garded as good AVhigs, sought British i)rotection. The country 
was full of tories and British. Property Avas destroyed, old men 
and cliildren were abused and cursed, and women insulted. Many, 
in despondency, gave up the cause as hopeless. Calamity after 



calamity fell upon the afflicted country. On the 16th of August, 
General (iates, the hero of Saratoga, was defeated and his army 
routed near Camden. Two days after, the brave Sumter was sur- 
prised at Fishing Creek, by Tarleton, and his connnand scattered. 

Such was the general condition of things in South Carolina 
and Georgia. Many brave men liad hidden themselves beyond the 
mountains, that, like Alfred of old, they might emerge from these 
mountain fastnesses and rout the invading foe. Tliese voluntary 
exiles received a welcome from the patriots of Watauga and 
Xollichucky. There they met Isaac Shelby and John Sevier. 
Amongst those refugees was Colonel Clarke, of Georgia, witli 
about one hundred of his overpowered, but not subdued men. 
These refugees told the tales of suffering which they had seen in 
the States of Georgia and South Carolina. Their stories aroused 
the patriotism and stirred the spirits of tlie hardy pioneers of the 
forest. 

After the defeat of Gates at Camden, Cornwallis, as had been 
done by his predecessor, Clinton, proceeded at once to establish 
civil government in the upper section of the State. Tarleton 
and Ferguson were ordered to scour the State. Tlie object was 
to beat up the tories and loyalists and disi)erse the AVhigs. Fer- 
guson, with about one thousand loyalists and one hundred and 
ten regulars, had been in the Ninety-Six District for some time, 
and portions of his command had been, on several occasions, 
badly cut up by the Whigs. Patrick Ferguson was a Major in 
the British army, and Brigadier General of the Royal Militia of 
South Carolina. The second officer in his command was Captain 
DePeyster, a loyalist. The Whig colonels, McDowell, Sevier, 
Shelby, Williams and Clarke, were known to frequent this section 
of the State. Tlie fact that small detachments of tories had been 
attacked and routed by the bold partisans, greatly incensed the 
Britisli officer. Meetings of the tories and loyalists were held 
throughout the Ninety-Six District. Those who claimed to be 
tories or loyalists, were threatened with severe punishment if 
they did not take u]) arms and assist his majesty's troo])s in i)ut- 
ting down the rebellion. Ferguson now found that the rebellion, 
which Clinton and his successor, Cornwallis, tliought was crushed 
out, was stalking over the land like a giant. Whigs, tories and 
loyalists, found tiiat each party was in earnest, and a desperate 
effort must be made, or all would be lost. 

On the 18th of August — the day on which Sumter was sur- 
prised by Tarleton at Fishing Creek — Col. McDowell was encami)- 
ed at Smitli's Fcn'd on Broad Kiver. He liad learned that a party 
of tories, near Ave hundred in number, were encamped at Mus- 



6 

grove's Mill, on the south side of Enoree River, Colonels Wil- 
liams, Shelby and Clarke, were detached for tlie purpose of sur- 
prising them. It was a dangerous undertaking, for Ferguson was 
encamped, Avith his whole force, midway between McDowell and 
the tories. At sun set, the party moved, and by taking a right 
hand road, passed Ferguson's camp in safety. The tories were 
commanded by Col. Innis and Major Frazer. Shelby, Williams 
and Clarke, arrived at the tory camp just at day-light. The 
attack was made, and although the tories had been reinforced by 
six hundred regulars under Innis, a complete victory was gained. 
Flushed with victory, the conquerors determined to make an at- 
tack upon Ninety-Six, Just at this moment a courier arrived, 
bringing the sad news that General Gates had been defeated on 
tlie Kith at Camden. They were urged by McDowell to make no 
delay, lest they should be captured by Ferguson, They had more 
than two hundred prisoners. The men were tired, and so were 
their horses. The prisoners were divided out amongst the men, 
giving every three men two prisoners. After they were complete- 
ly out of the reach of Ferguson, Shelby went home, leaving 
Clarke and Williams in charge of the prisoners. Col. Clarke 
having accompanied Col. Williams for a short distance after the 
departure of Shelby, took his command and returned home, leaving 
Col. Williams in charge of the prisoners, by whom they were taken 
to Hillsborough, North Carolina. Governor Rutledge, of South 
Carolina, who, at this time, was in Hillsborougli, seeing Williams 
in charge of so many prisoners and supposing that he luid been the 
principal actor in the affair, immediately gave him a Brigadier 
General's commission as a reward for his supposed brave and he- 
roic exploit. 

McDowell, so soon as he heard that Gates was defeated, broke 
up his camp at Smith's Ford and marched for the mountains. 
His command Mas scattered. Some of his men went home, whilst 
others accompanied their commander beyond the mountains. Fer- 
guson was left in full possession of the field. The Whigs were 
plundered of their property and driven from their homes. Many 
of them were forced to hide out in unfrequented spots, whilst not 
a few were caught and cruelly murdered. The brave and enter- 
prising British officer pushed liis way as far as Gilbert Town, near 
the present site of Rutherfordton, in North Carolina. South 
Carolina was now under the paw of the British lion. Some 
crouched and begged for quarter; but there were a few noble 
spirits — enough to save the country — who liad sworn for their 
country to live, and for her to die. Ferguson was not ignorant 
of this fact, lie knew the history of those men who were beyond 



tlie mountains. He knew that their ancestors, for more than two 
hundred years, had been fighting for freedom, and he saw that the 
wilds of America liad strengtliened the love of liberty in their 
children. He knew that they were Scotch-Irish and Huguenots 
by descent. He knew tliat they could be crushed into the earth, 
that they could be torn limb from limb, that they could be buried 
beneath the earth, but he feared their very dust. 

He had his spies in the mountain country, and from them he 
had learned what was going on in the valleys of Nollichucky and 
Watauga. These spies often brought him the startling news 
that their fellows were caught and hanged, while others were 
tarred and suffered to return as a taunt to their champion leader. 
Ferguson raged. He cursed the rebels for their daring, and he 
cursed the tories and loyalists for their want of courage. 

Wiiile Colonel Ferguson lay at Gilbert Town, he paroled 
Samuel Phillips, a patriot, whom he held as a prisoner, and sent 
him with a threatening message to the back mountain men. The 
purport of this messsage was, that if these patriots in Watauga 
and Nollichucky did not lay down their arms and submit to the 
King of England, he would come over the mountain and hang the 
last one of them. This was not a mere boast. He contemjilated 
doing what he said. Ferguson was no idle boaster. No sooner 
had Samuel P]iillii)S delivered his message, than the horrors of 
past generations loomed up before the eyes of the patriots of 
Watauga and Nollichucky. The blood of John Sevier and Isaac 
Shelby was stirred. Sevier was eloquent under the impulse of a 
holy resentment, and the brow of Shelby was knit with indig- 
nation, and his whole countenance indicated stern defiance. 
These noble men at once concluded that they would tliwart 
Ferguson in his bloody purpose, and if there was any lianging to 
be done, they would do it. 

The plan for raising a sufficient number of men to accomplish 
tlieir purpose was soon devised. To Sevier was assigned the 
duty of communicating with McDowell and the other officers who 
were then in voluntary exile beyond the mountains. Shelby as- 
sumed, as his part of the work, the writing of a letter to Col. Wil- 
liam Campbell, of Washington county, Virginia. The letter was 
written. The threat of Ferguson was stated, and the plan for 
his destruction revealed. In this letter Campbell was earnestly 
requested to cooperate. This letter was placed in the hands of 
Moses Shelby, a brother of Isaac, and duly delivered. Colonel 
Campbell declined to render his assistance, stating that his inten- 
tions were to assist in preventing Cornwallis from reaching Vir- 
ginia. This message was returned by Moses Shelby. Colonel 



Shelby immediately wrote another letter to Col. Campbell, in 
which he urged him, more strongly, to lend his assistance. Al- 
though Campbell was as firm and unyielding as a mountain, 
still he was not blind to reason or deaf to the calls of duty. He 
sent Shelby word that he would come and bring liis wliole com- 
mand. This was more than was expected. The place of general 
rendezvous was Sycamore Slioal, on the Watauga ; the time, the 
twenty-fifth of Se])tember. 

At the appointed time, the entire inhabitants of the back 
mountain region assembled at Sycamore Shoal, andCami)bel], 
with his Virginians, was there. Everybody was in earnest. Tliere 
were no gay uniforms ; no costly plumes ; no long trains of bag- 
gage wagons ; no ambulances ; no surgeon ; no chaplain. Officers 
and men were clad in suits made by their wives, mothers and 
sisters, and each man intended for the expedition was armed with 
a faitliful Deckhard rifle.* 

All assembled ; but all dare not leave tlie settlement. The 
Cherokee Indians were on the borders, watching an opportunity 
to descend with the torch and tomahawk ui)on the neighborhood. 
On the morning of the 26th of September, preparations were made 
for the advance. To victory or to death, was the feeling of every 
breast. They were rongli men externally, but they had brave 
and tender hearts. Charles McDowell moved amongst the multi- 
tude with all the grace and ease of nobility. John Sevier was 
full of impulse and an energy which never tired. Isaac Shelby 
had little to say. His knit brow meant speedy action. William 
Campbell showed, by his stern dignity, that he was born to be 
free. The officers proposed, before tliey set out, that the company 
be called together and the divine blessing be askedl A prayer, 
solemn and appropriate, being offered up, the party designed foi- 
the expedition mounted their horses, and the rest returned to 
their homes. With anxious hearts did these wait until the result 
was heard. 

The troops left Sycamore Shoal on the t^venty-sixtii. They 
were all mounted and unencumbered liy baggage of any kindwliat- 
ever. Tliey expected to support themselves, on the way, by their 
rifles, or by forcing the tories to feed tliem ami their horses. The 
force consisted of one thousand and forty men, as follows: From 
Burke and Rutherford counties, North Carolina, Col. McDowell, 
160 men. From Washington county, North Carolina, (now Ten- 

* In its day, the Deckhard rifle was as famous as is the Enfield rifle of tlie present time. 
It was made in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and bore tlic name of its matter. The 
barrel was three feet and six iiielies long, and carried a ball whicl) weifthed about one 
fourth of an ounce. The yun usually weighed about seven pounds, was trained with great 
care, and in the hand of a frontierman, was a deadly weapon. 



9 

iiessee) Col. John Sevier, 240 men. From Sullivan county, !N'orth 
Carolina, (now Tennessee) Col. Isaac Shelby, 240 men. From 
Washington county, Virginia, Col. William Campbell, 400 men. 

The Sycamore Shoal is near the head of the Watauga. From 
this point, they pursued nearly an eastern direction, across the 
Yellow Mountain; afterward their course was nearly south. The 
first night they spent at Matthew Tolbot's mill. The second day, 
two of their men deserted and went ahead to the enemy. On the 
30th of September tliey reached the foot of the mountain on the east 
side. Here they were joined by three hundred and fifty men from 
Wilkes and Surry comities, under tlie command of Colonel Benja- 
min Cleveland and Major Joseph Winston. Cleveland and Wins- 
ton were keeping themselves concealed tliat they might join in witli 
any party going against the enemy. The first of October — the 
second day after the junction with Cleveland — was so wet that it 
was thought advisable not to move. Ferguson was thought 
to be at Gilbert Town, and as the guns in those days were all 
flint and steel locks, it was indiscreet to approach an enemy with 
wet guns. 

Up to this time there was no commanding otticer. Shelby 
perceived that there was a great defect in their organization, and, 
during the rain, called a council of the officers. They were now 
in Col. Cliarles McDowelPs region, and advancing against an ene- 
my with which he had lately been contending. He was, more- 
over, the senior officer, and it was natural tliat he would be ex- 
pected to take the command of the whole. No one doubted 
Charles McDowell's patriotism or bravery; but it was thought 
that he was not the man to command a partisan cori)s on an en- 
terprise like that in wliich they were at that time engaged. Shel- 
by proposed William Campbell as commander-in-chief for the 
present, and that a messenger be sent to headciuarters, wlierever 
that might be, for a commanding officer, who should take charge 
of the whole corps. This proposition was readily assented to by 
all, and Col. Chas. McDowell volunteered to go to headquarters 
after a general officer, anil his brotlier, Joseph McDowell, took 
command of his men until he would return. 

Here, for a time, let us leave these patriotic mountain men, 
until we can bring up the other forces who were prominent actors 
in the battle of King's Mountain. After Sumter's defeat at 
Fishing Creek, on the 18th of August, he and Col. Edward Lacy, 
with a small portion of Sumter's command, passed over into 
Mecklenburg, North Carolina. Tiiey cami)ed on Clem's Branch. 
Lacy was sent by Sumter into York and Chester counties, to gath- 
er up the Irish of that region, who were known to be true Whigs, 



10 

and also to collect all that he could of Sumter's army that was 
scattered at Fishing Creek. 

After Lacy's return to Sumter's encampment, on Clem's 
Branch, Col. .James Williams, who, as we have seen, was made a 
Brigadier-General by Governor Rutledge shortly after the battle of 
Musgrove's Mill, arrived in camp, and having shown his commis- 
sion, claimed the authority to take command of all the South Caro- 
lina troops in that section. On the 8th of September, Williams had 
been ordered, or rather "requested," by Abner Nash, Governor of 
North Carolina, "to go into Caswell county and such other coun- 
ties as he might think proper, and raise a body of volunteer horse- 
men, not to exceed one hundred." With these and a few other 
trooi)s, Williams came to Sumter's camp, on Clem's Branch. The 
South Carolina soldiers of Sumter's command positively refused to 
submit to Williams as a general. They preferred Sumter. The 
main objection that the soldiers had against AVilliams was, that 
having at one time been the commissary of Sumter' scommand, he 
had acted in some way or other so as to gain the ill will and even 
the hatred of many of the men. What the facts in the case were, 
it is impossible, at this late date, to learn with sufficient accuracy 
to warrant us in saying who was to blame, Williams or the men. 
No doubt, both were, to some extent, in the fault. Be this as it 
may, a difficulty sprung up between Sumter and Williams, and 
but for the presence of the enemy, it might have ended in some- 
thing serious. 

Whilst the difficulty was pending, it was learned that Eawdon 
and Tarleton, with a large force, were making iireparations for at- 
tacking them. It was concluded by both parties, that they would 
cross the Catawba River at Bigger 's Ferry (now Wright's.) Hav- 
ing crossed the river, a council of officers was called to settle the 
difficulty. Col. William Hill, who was wounded at the battle of 
Hanging Kock, was made cliairman of this council. Whilst the 
council was discussing the matter, Rawdon and Tarleton appeared 
on the opposite bank of the river, and commenced firing at them 
across the river. It was evident that the enemy would not allow 
them time to look into the matter, and their existence depended 
upon perfect harmony among themselves It was agreed to refer 
the whole matter, with all the facts in the case, to Governor Rut- 
ledge, then at Hillsborough, North Carolina. In the meantime, 
however, Sumter was to retire from the army until the decision 
of Rutledge was heard. Williams would remain in command of 
his North Carolina troops, and Colonels Hill and I^acy would take 
command of the South Carolina troops. 

Colonels Winn, Middleton, Thomas and Hampton, were sent 



11 

as commissioners to Governor Kutledge; and Lacy and Hill, in 
the hope of forming a junction with General William Davidson, 
led the army iip the Catawba, and crossed at Tuckaseege Ford. 
Governor aSTash, of North Carolina, had instructed Colonel Wil- 
liams (then Genei'al) to proceed in any direction and operate 
against the enemy. His instructions were very general, leaving 
the whole matter to the discretion of Williams himself. While 
the army, consisting of about four hundred and fifty men, then 
under the command of Hill, Lacy and Williams, were on the 
east side of Catawba River, in the neighborhood of Tuckaseege 
Ford, Williams' scouts broiight the infoimation that a body of 
back-mountain men were already on the east side of the moun- 
tain, on their way to fight Ferguson. They immediately crossed 
the Catawba, at Beattie's Ford, with the intention of going in 
pursuit of Ferguson. Here they were joined by Majors Graham 
and Hambright, with about seventy-five men, and not long after- 
wards by Colonels Hammond and Roebuck, and Majors Chronicle 
and Hawthorne, with about sixty men. 

Williams had his scouts out watching Ferguson. He was 
the more prompt in doing this, from the fact that his home was on 
Little River, in what is now Laurens county. This territory 
was embraced in Ferguson's field of operations. A consultation 
was held by Williams, Hill, Lacy, Roebuck, Graham, Hammond, 
Hambright, Brannon, Hawthorne and Chronicle, as to what 
should be done. It was at once determined that a messenger 
should be sent to communicate with the back-mountain men, to 
inform them with regard to Ferguson's movements and his place 
of encampment, and to make arrangements for the cooperation of 
the two forces. Colonel Edward I^acy, whose home was a few 
miles northwest of the present town of Chester, and who owned 
a large amount of the lands on which tne town of Chester is built, 
was chosen as the messenger. It was a good choice. Lacy was 
recklessly brave, and although a rough man, still, a man of good 
address. He was a sterling Whig. It turned out that the two 
camps were, at that time, sixty miles apart; but Lacy never stop- 
ped a moment until, late at night, he reached the camp of Camp- 
bell. This was on the night of the 4th of October. Lacy was 
seized by the patroling party, and, without ceremony, blindfolded. 
He asked to be taken, without delay, to the commander's quar- 
ters. He was at first regarded by all as a spy, and had he not 
been a true Whig, and shown it by every word and action, he 
would have paid the penalty in a few minutes. 

That day, Campbell and his mountain men had reached Gil- 
bert Town, and finding Ferguson had decamped, and learning 



12 

that he was gone to JSTinety-Six, which had lately been repaired 
and reinforced, a council of war had been held but a short time 
before Lacy arrived, and it was concluded to abandon the chase. 
Lacy then informed them that Ferguson was in the neigliljorhood 
of Cherokee Ford — that he was not aiming to reach Ninety-Six; 
but his point of destination was Charlotte, ]^orth Carolina. They 
were urged to annul tlie previous resolution of the night, and 
meet the troops luider Williams, Hill and other leaders, at a place 
called the Cowpens, on the 6th. This was done, and after Lacy 
had fed his horse, eaten a supper of what the partisan camp could 
afford, and enjoyed a few hours' sleep on tlie ground, he was up 
and away to join his command, which was now on its way to the 
Cowpens. 

Let us leave the two armies and trace the movements of Col- 
-onel Ferguson. On the 4th of October — the day that Campbell 
and his men arrived at Gilbert Town — Ferguson had broken up 
his camp. The two deserters from Campbell's command had 
informed him of what was going on. He knew the men he had 
to deal with. He had met some of them before. Wisely, he 
concluded that his safety depended on getting out of their way. 
It would not be true to say that Col. Ferguson was frightened, 
for no braver man ever lived or fought or died on a battle-field ; 
but he most assuredly felt that he was in a critical situation. ^ 
Cornwallis had already perceived the danger with which Ferguson " 
was surrounded, and had ordered him to join him at Charlotte. 
Ferguson now saw that it would require all his skill to reach that 
point. On breaking up his camp at Gilbert Town, he sent two 
tories — Abe Collins and Peter Quinn — to Cornwallis at Charlotte, 
to inform that officer of his critical situation and to request aid. 
The messengers were hindered on the way by the presence of the 
Whigs in the neigliborhood, and did not reach Charlotte until 
the 7th ; consequently, the aid was not received. Ferguson, on 
leaving Gilbert Town, made the impression that he was going to 
Ninety-Six, and when Campbell and his party arrived at Gilbert 
Town, they were told that Ferguson was distant fifty or sixty 
miles. This was a feint. On the fourth of Octol)er, Ferguson 
camped at the Cowpens, about twenty miles from Gilbert Town. 
On the 5th, he crossed Broad Kiver at Tate's Ferry, near where 
the Air-Line Railroad now crosses Broad River, and spent tlie 
night about a mile above the ferry. On the 6th, he pushed on 
up the ridge road between King's Creek and Buffalo Creek, until 
he came to the fork near Whitaker Station, on the Air-Line 
Railroad. There lie took the right prong, leading across King's 
Creek, through a pass in tlie mountain, and on in the direction 



13 

of Yorkville. Here, n short distance after crossing King's Creek, 
on the right of the road, about two hundred and fifty yards from 
the pass in the mountain, on an eminence which he claimed, in 
lionor of his majesty, to have called King's Mountain,* and which 
still retains the name, he encam]ied, determined to remain mitil 
his reinforcements from Cornwallis would arrive. 

From Gilbert Town to King's Mountain, he evidently was 
retreating. He felt that he had a terrible foe to deal with. He 
begged, he entreated the tories and loyalists to turn out and ren- 
der him assistance. Finding that gentle measures accomplished 
nothing, he threatened to hang them if they did not shoulder their 
muskets and march against the rebels. His threats were as un- 
availing as his entreaties. On arriving at King's Mountain, he 
granted some of the royalists and tories permission to go into the 
surrounding country for the purpose of beating up recruits. 

The inhabitants of the region surrounding King's Mountain, 
were, with a few exceptions, tories. These recriiiting officers of 
Ferguson went to plundering their AVhig neighbors. Instead 
of hunting up recruits for the King's army, they went to rob- 
bing the gardens and killing the hogs of the Whigs in the com- 
munity. Here, strongly posted on King's Mountain, let us, for 
:i short time, leave Col. Ferguson. 

Before sunrise on the morning of the Gtli of October, the 
"orces under Colonel Campbell were ordered to march. The 
mmediate point of destination was the Cowpens. The wliole 
Df the night previous had been spent in selecting from his entire 
:orce, which now numbered al)out tliree thousand, the best men, 
he best horses and the best guns. The number selected was 
line hundred and ten. These were ordered to advance rapidly 
u pursuit of the foe, whilst the remainder were to follow leis- 
irely. Before sundown, they reached the Cowpens. There they 
ound Col. Hambright and INIajor Chronicle, with sixty N^orth 
'arolinians from Tryon county, and Col. James AVilliams with 
lear two thousand South Carolinians. From these, nine hun- 
ired and thirty-three were selected to join the nine hundred and 
en under Col. Campbell, in pursuit of Col. Ferguson. f Many of 
lie officers were without commands, occupying simply the po- 
ition of men in ranks. It was raining and dark, but all were 
ntliusiastic. They had set out to find Ferguson, and find him 
hey would. An hour was given the troops to rest, during which 

* Notwithstanding tliis declaratinii of Colonel Ferjuson, it is probable that King's Moun- 
lin was so called from a man by the name of King, who lived in the neighborhood, 
'rom the same individual, it is probable that King's Creek derived its name. 

t It is not very easy to determine, with anv degree of certainty, the exact number of 
.imericans actually etjgaged at the battle of King's Mountain. The Western army, that 



14 

time two beeves were killed; but the time was so short that some 
of the men did not get a mouthful prepared. There were several 
bands of tories in the neighborhood, whom they could have easily 
captured, but they were in search of Ferguson, and they let the 
tories alone, although it was known that these tories were to join 
Ferguson the next day. By eight o'clock every man was in the 
saddle and on the trail of Ferguson. It rained all night, and was 
dark. The guide got lost for a time. The men, in order to keep 
their guns dry, wrapped them up with their over-coats and blankets 
when they had them, and with their hunting shirts when these 
w^ere wanting. On the morning of the 7th, just before sunrise, 
they reached Broad River, about a mile and a half below Cherokee 
Ford, expecting to find Ferguson on the east bank. They crossed 
the river and marched up its l)ank, and soon came to Ferguson's 
camp of the night of the 5th. Here a halt was made, and those 
who had anything to eat, eat it, and those wlio had nothing did 
without. The delay was only for a moment. Although hungry, 
wet and tired, they pushed on with as much zeal as if the search 
had just commenced. Ferguson's trail was fresh, and they knew 
that they would soon see who would do the hanging ! For a dis- 
tance of twelve miles, they saw no one but their own party, and 
learned nothing of Ferguson's wiiereabouts. When they had 
gone about twelve miles, after crossing Broad River, the advance 
party met some persons coming from Ferguson's camp. At the 
same time, a boy about fourteen years old, by the name of John 
Fonderin, was found in an old field. The boy said his brother was 
in Ferguson's camp. The story of the men and boy agreed, and 
from them it was learned that Ferguson's camp was only three 
miles distant. The location was accurately described by these 
men and young Fonderin, and the intentions of Ferguson learned. 
A dispatch, which he had sent to Cornwalls for aid, was afterward 
intercepted. From this his force was learned, and also what he 
thought about being able to defend himself. In that dispatch 
he boastingly, or rather profanely, we should say, declared that 
such was the nature of the place he had chosen for a camp, "that 

is, that portion of the forces, commanded by Campbell, Shelby, Sevier and Clovelan<l, num- 
bered, on the 5th of October, about three thousand. Of this number, nine hundred ajid ten, 
both Campbell aiid Shelby say, were selected to pursue Feryuson. The South Carolinians, 
which according to Col. Hill amounted to near two thousand, were made ui> of individuals 
who had joined the army in its march from Bigger's Ferry, in York county, to the Cowpeiis 
in .-Spartanburg county. Before King's Mountain was reached, a very large number of 
the men had fallen behind. Some of ihe compatiies had lost their way, and it is almost 
certain thai not more than one thousand men were in the fight. In fact, one account puts 
the number at about seven hundred. This, we think, too small. It is a fact that the men 
were coming in during the whole of the fight. Countrymen having learned what was go- 
ing on, mounteil their horses, bare-backed, and some of them took their horses from the 
plow, and without taking lime to hiy off the harness, mounted and rushed to the scene ot 
action, liaviir^ no arms but llieir squirrel guns. 'J'he number nf men selected for the enter- 
prise was much greated than the number engaged in the battle, and many were in it, who 
had not been selected. They had come of their own accord and fought in true partisan style. 



15 

all the rebels out of hell could not drive him from it." This dis- 
l)ateh, with the exception of the statement of the number of Fer- 
guson's force, was read aloud to the men. The officers held a con- 
sultation on horse-back, and concluded upon the mode of attack. 

It was agreed that since Cami)bell had come the greatest dis- ^ 
tance, and had brought the largest number of men, that he should 
be the commander in chief. It was now past twelve o'clock. 
The rain had ceased, the clouds had passed away, and the sun 
was shining brightly. The pursuers of Ferguson had followed 
his trail from eight o'clock on the previous night, and now they 
were within four miles of his camp. The order was given "to tie 
up over-coats and blankets, throw priming out of pans, pick touch 
holes, prime anew, examine bidlets, and see that everything is in 
readiness for battle." They were now within sight of the object 
for which some of them had been in search for nearly two weeks. 
They were fully aware of the kind of foe they had to encounter — 
a brave man and a cool officer. They had to face British regulars, 
who would rush upon them with bayonets ; and tories who knew 
it was victory or death. On they went, determined still to be 
free or die. They ascended an eminence on the western side of 
the mountain, and Ferguson's camp was in full view. They dis- 
mounted and tied their horses and prepared for the conflict. The 
mode of attack determined upon was to surround the mountain 
and pour in a deadly Are upon the enemy from all sides at the 
same time. 

King's Mountain, upon which Col. Ferguson was encamped, 
is a spur of the Blue Kidge. It is a narrow, oval shaped knoll, 
having the direction of the Blue Kidge, and terminates abruptly 
at its northern extremity. It is covered with a kind of slate 
stone. The ridge, which is about one hundred and twenty feet 
above the ravines by which it is surrounded, and about a mile 
long, is not more than thirty yards wide, and the sides, especially 
on the north, are precipitous. It is situated in York county. 
South Carolina, about a mile and a half from the Xortli Carolina 
line. Many of the men in Col. Williams' command were Whigs 
from the surrounding country. They had left their hiding places 
when, in the language of an old lievolutionary war song, "Old 
Williams came from Hillsborough, they flocked to him amain," 
Tliese men understood the nature of the ground accurately. They 
had hunted deer on the same place freciuently. In view of this 
fact, the guides for the otlier troops were chosen from Williams' 
men. 

When the exact location of Ferguson's camp was learned, 
the army of pursuers marched in four columns. Col. Campbell's 



16 

regiment, with part of Cleveland's regiment, commanded by 
Major Winston, formed the right centre ; Col. Shelby's regiment, 
the left centre. Col. Sevier's regiment composed the right wing ; 
and tlie troops nnder Col. Williams and the remainder of Col. 
Cleveland's regiment, commanded by liimself, formed the left 
wing. 

On arriving in full view of the enemy, and having tied their 
horses and leaving a small guard to watch them, the troops com- 
manded by Shelby, Sevier, McDowell, Campbell and Winston, 
were ordered to file to the right and pass round the enemy's camp 
on the mountain. Those under Cleveland, Chronicle, Ilambright 
and Williams, were to file to the left and pass round. Both par- 
ties were to continue their march, without firing, until they met. 
Tlieii the enemy's camp would be completely surrounded. The 
order was then to face toward the enemy, raise the Indian war- 
whoop, and rush forward npoh the foe. 

It was near three o'clock on the afternoon of the 7th of Octo- 
ber, 1780. The destiny of American liberty was in the hands of 
a few undisciplined militia. It never was in better hands than 
when it was entrusted to those brave men who fought and bled 
and died and w^on the victory over Col. Ferguson on King's 
Mountain. The order is given to march. On they go, with the 
steadiness of veterans. Every order is executed witli as much 
promptness as if they had been trained regulars. 

The Britisli commenced to fire upon Shelby's men as the right 
wing passed round the mountain. McDowell returned the fire, 
and the action became general. The keen crack of the deadly 
Deckhard rifie, and the Indian war-whoop, lieard all roinul the 
enemy's camp, announced that every man was in his place. Fer- 
guson oi'dered his regulars to charge upon the right wing of the 
Whigs. This drove McDowell, ShelV)y and Campbell back ; but 
at this very moment Chronicle, Ilambright, Cleveland and Wil- 
liams had ascended the opposite extremity of the mountain and 
driven the British and tories behind their wagons. Ferguson was 
here himself. His men were falling on all sides. He innnediately 
sent for DePeyster, who had led the charge against McDowell, 
Shelby and Campl)ell. As DePeyster i)assed back along the ridge, 
the South Carolinians, under Williams, poured in a deadly fire 
upon iiim. His ranks were soon thinned and the regulars thrown 
into confusion. Tliey, however, innnediately rallied and made a 
dreadful push against Chronicle and Cleveland, driving them down 
the mountain. Here Chronicle was killed. The charge of the 
British upon tlie left of the Whigs was mistaken by tlie right under 
Shelby, McDowell and Campbell, for a retreat, and the shout was 



A^ 



17 

raised, "Huzza, boys, they are retreating. Come on." On, on, 
the left wing of the Wliigs, in solid phalanx, rushed upon the 
enemy. Ferguson was now forced to meet the right wing. The 
left wing, as the right wing before had done, mistook the charge 
of the Britisli for a retreat, faced about and rushed upon, as they 
thought, the retreating foe. Thus each cliarge of the enemy was 
mistaken by tlie "Whigs on the opposite side for a retreat. Fergu- 
son galloped back and forth along his lines, encouraging his men 
with entreaties and v^ith curses. In spite of all his skill and the 
desperate courage of his men, his ground was taken from him and 
he was forced to occupy a small portion of the ridge near the 
northern extremity. He ordered his cavalry to mount ; but this 
move proved unavailing. Tlie men were shot down as soon as 
they ]nounted. He prepared for a last and desperate charge. 
The tories were ordered to sliarpen the handles of their butcher 
knives and fasten them in the muzzles of their guns, and, with 
the British regulars, charge upon the rebels. This also was of no 
avail. The Whigs were all around them, and confusion was in 
the British camp. DePeyster hoisted a white flag. Ferguson 
pulled it down. DePeyster raised it at the otlier extremity of 
the British camp. Ferguson saw it and darted, at the full gallop, 
and, with his sword, cut it down, swearing tliat he would never 
surrender to militia. He had been wounded in the hand, but in 
this wounded hand he bore a silver whistle, whose shrill sound in- 
spired courage in the already vanquished. A ball from some un- 
known rifle threw the hero from his charger, and DePeyster 
again hoisted a wliite flag. 

The tories and British ceased firing, but the Whigs, either not 
understanding the import of a white flag, or knowing that it had 
been hoisted twice before and was pulled down, continued to fire. 
The officers ordered tlieir men to cease firing ; but the blood of the 
Whigs was warm and fire they would. Col. Shelby then ordered 
the British to lay down their arms, and the men would under- 
stand this as a sign that they surrendered. This was done, and 
the British were ordered to leave their guns, most of which were 
loaded, and march to another place. The Whigs then marched 
up and took possession of the enemy's camp. 

The victory was complete, Neither man nor horse escaped. 
The whole force of tlie British amounted to eleven hundred and 
twenty-five men, of which number eleven hundred and five fell 
into the hands of the Whigs. Twenty were out on a plundering 
expedition. Of the eleven hundred and five taken by the Whigs, 
five hundred and five were either dead or so badly wounded as not 
to be able to be moved. The Whig loss was twenty-eight killed 



18 

and sixty wounded. Everything pertaining to the camp of Fergu- 
son fell into the hands of the AVhigs. Besides his provisions and 
camp equipage, the Whigs got a number or splendid horses and 
fifteen hnndred stand of arms and a supply of powder and bul- 
lets. When the patriots saw what they had achieved, they raised 
a shout which was heard for "seven miles on the plain." 

The Whigs slept on the battle-field the night after tlie fight. 
Tiie next morning the dead were hnrriedly buried, the wounded 
Whigs cared for, the enemy's wagons burned, and the patriots 
departed. Lacy and Hill marched down into York county and 
encamped on Bullock's Creek. Campbell and the Korth Carolin- 
ians took the prisoners and hastened to get beyond the monntains. 
As they had more prisoners than men, and as it was important to 
save the captnred guns, the flints were all removed and the pris- 
oners made to carry them. 

At Bickerstaff's old field, a court martial was held in order to 
decide what should be done with the tories. Thirty were con- 
demned to be hanged ; but all but nine of the most notorious 
were pardoned. 

No victory ever was more complete than that of King's 
Mountain, and none was more timely for the interest of America. 
The British, tories and loyalists, in every section of the country, 
were panic stricken, and the Whigs encouraged. Cornwallis took 
fright and left Charlotte, abandoning his contemplated march 
into Virginia. 

As a revolutionary relic worthy of preservation, we append the 
following rather rougli piece of poetry, which was called "The 
Battle of King's Mountain." We suppose the author's name is 
unknown to any one. The third and fourth lines, and possibly 
more, are wanting. Rough as it is, it is still worthy of being 
preserved. 

Old Williams from Hills!)orougli came ; 

To him the South Carolinians flocked amain. 

We marched to the Cowpenti ; Campbell was there, 

Shelby, Cleveland and Colonel Sevier ; 

Men of renown, sir, like lions so bold, 

l^ike lions undaunted ne'er to be controlled, 

We set out on our march that very same night; 

Sometimes we were wrong, sometimes we were right; 

Our hearts being run in true liberty's mould, 

We valued not hunger, wet weary nor colil. 

On the top of King's Mountain, tlie old rogue we found, • 

And like brave heroes his camp did surround ; 

Like lightning the flashes, like thunder the noise, 

Our rifles struck the poor tories with sudden surprise. 

Old Williams and twenty five more. 

When the battle was over, lay rolled in their gore. 

With sorrow their bodies were interred in the clay, 

Hoping to heaven their souls took their way. 

This being eniled, we shouted amain. 

Our voices were heard seven miles on the plain ; 

Liberty shall stand— the tories shall fall ; 

Here is the end of my s mg, so God bless you all. 

RB 9.3 1 



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